Serendipity

One pack of orange juice. Coffee powder. Carton of milk.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

One box of cereal.

No, not this one. Wonder if they stock those chocolate frosted ones?

She turned to put back the box and check again. That’s when she saw.

Oh my God. Not him.

Not when she’d finally thought she’d moved on with her life. Not after a whole year of coming to terms and getting a grip on herself. On her life. Not after accusing him, herself, her friends, family and the whole damn world itself for her failed relationship.

It doesn’t matter. You know that. He made it clear that he didn’t need you. And you don’t need him to be happy.

Who’re you fooling? If you didn’t care for him any longer, you wouldn’t be fidgeting like a schoolgirl at the sight of him.

He was at the other end of the aisle. She gratefully noted that the aisle was fairly long, AND that he hadn’t seen her yet. Waitaminit, he’s turning this way. Her first instinct was to turn away and duck into the next aisle. But some inexplicable instinct made her think otherwise and kept her rooted to the spot. By the time she’d changed her mind again, it was two seconds too late.

He was coming her way. And he’d spotted her. It was too late for him to turn back or pretend he hadn’t seen her. So there he was, trying to look genuinely surprised and pleased at the sudden meeting.

"Hi. It’s good to see you again."

That rich voice again. That same easy charm. Please. No more of that. His charm was what she’d fallen for two years ago. And it was ridiculously easy to recall the heartache when the spell broke.

"Hi…. Good to see you too." Since common courtesy demands it.

"Quite a surprise y’know, running into you like this."

"Hmmm."

Of course it's a surprise. Folks don’t expect to see their trash again.

Strange. Did she really have that much venom left?

The curt reply seemed to unnerve him somewhat. He tried again.

"So…how’ve you been? Work and all that?"

"Fine. Work’s great."

He paused for a moment. She knew what he was thinking.

Is she single? Has she found someone? Why the hell won’t she talk? Does she know about my...??

"Ahhh....Haven’t been able to keep in touch with folks y’know. Been pretty busy. I got married last month. In fact, I’d sent you an invite, but didn’t see you there..."

The words came out in a rush, like he was trying to get something over with. And ended abruptly, when he finally raised his eyes to meet her steady, level gaze.

She replied softly, almost gently.

"I don’t see how I can receive invitations if they aren’t sent to me in the first place."

His face crumpled as it first registered surprise, then dismay at her reply. Funny. There was once a time when she’d have taken his hurt as her own. Now, she didn’t feel a thing. No, actually she did. Surprisingly, satisfaction was the word that best described the feeling.

"But…I…"

Squirm. Squirm all you want. You made sure I’d hear about it from ‘well-meaning’ people.

Her next statement surprised even her.

"Since you’re dying to know, I AM still single. But life’s been a lot happier than when I was with you. That’s saying something, don’t you think? I’ll get going now. Am pretty busy these days."

She made her way to the counter and got her stuff billed. She could swear he was still standing gape-mouthed where she’d left him.

She’d been lying of course. Busy? She only had a lonely apartment and sitcom shows to go back to. And that part about life being better was a lie too. Unless you counted the last ten minutes, when she’d felt far better than she had in a whole year.

She stepped out of the store. The breeze ruffled her hair, and a tiny raindrop landed squarely on her nose.

I’m free. And I’m in control.

Finally.

A ghost of a smile played across her face as she walked to her car.


Chance meetings weren’t too bad after all.